We’ve talked about heart disease on multiple occasions, which are also known as the “silent conditions”. However, heart diseases aren’t the only silent killers. Disorders that affect the kidneys can also cause as much stress, if not more, than those that affect the heart.

Our kidneys are in charge of cleaning up our blood and purging it of harmful toxins. They take our blood and filter all the waste materials and other harmful byproducts, as well as excess nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and other substances that are not necessary. In turn, these substances are dumped from the body through our urine, where they can no longer cause any harm.

In this sense, when our kidneys become compromised, their ability to filter our blood can become disrupted, which leads to a wide slew of problems associated with excess substances in our blood, or even blood poisoning due to the buildup of toxins. Any condition associated with the disruption of our kidneys’ activities fall under the umbrella term “kidney failure” and pose a serious threat to the person’s life if left unchecked. Moreover, while the risk of death from these diseases is significant, there is also a considerable chance of becoming dependent on dialysis several times a week, which is when the person who suffers from kidney failure must have their blood artificially cleansed with a machine at least two times per week.

All in all, kidney diseases are not only life-threatening but can also dramatically change a person’s lifestyle. Luckily, there are several methods that anyone can adopt into their daily routine to help promote kidney health, as well as help them to keep healthy, in general:

Keep your blood pressure under control

High blood pressure is a serious risk factor for heart disease. However, those who suffer from this condition, even while kept under control through medication, still have a higher risk of developing long-term blood vessel damage. As the organs in charge of filtering and cleaning the blood, high blood pressure can negatively impact the kidneys, and lead to renal failure in the future, especially when combined with other diseases such as diabetes.

Normal blood pressure is around 120/80. Those who suffer from prehypertension usually have over 140/90 on most days. Meanwhile, patients afflicted with hypertension have these elevated blood pressure levels permanently and rely on medication to keep them under control.

Drink plenty of water

You’ve heard about it ever since you were little: the recommended daily fluid intake is around 8 glasses of water, which some of us struggle to maintain. While the daily intake will vary from person to person, it is important to drink as much water as you can during the day. This is because the vital fluid helps our kidneys in clearing our blood from unwanted toxins, including urea, sodium, and waste byproducts, and lowers the amount of strain on these organs in doing their job. By drinking plenty of water, your kidneys have to work less to clean your blood, which will contribute to preserving their health through the years.

Refrain from smoking

Smoking is pretty much bad for you no matter how you slice it. Simply put, smoking decreases your blood flow, which prevents your kidneys from receiving the oxygenated blood necessary to do their work. Without proper irrigation, your kidneys are liable to shut down in the long run.

Don’t take excess OTC medication

We get it; life hurts. Particularly, if you’re a nurse or any other professional that has to work on their feet for the better part of every day, you’re more likely to experience pain on a daily basis, which might increase your intake of painkillers and other NSAIDs.

Unfortunately, while these drugs are safe for use under normal circumstances, their continued consumption could adversely affect your kidneys as they have to filter other types of substances, on top of the usual toxins, from your blood. So, if you’re dealing with chronic pain, it’s better to see a doctor so that he can devise a treatment plan for your condition, while also safeguarding your kidneys.

Keep an eye on the risk factors

While there are many actions that could contribute to the onset of kidney disease, there are some inherent risk factors that could also adversely affect our health and lead to an eventual renal failure diagnosis. You need to be extra careful if you suffer from diabetes, hypertension, or obesity, and if you have a family history of kidney disease, and particularly if you are of Asian, African, or Aboriginal origin